Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has accused officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of preventing him from greeting Nigeria’s victorious U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, at Abuja airport.
Obi said the incident happened on Monday, November 9, 2026, when he arrived at the airport around 7am to board a flight to Enugu.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate said he spotted the team shortly after their return from Morocco, where they won the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
In a statement titled A New Dimension of Toxic Politics in Nigeria, Obi explained that he asked his protocol officer, Jackie Wayas, to seek permission for him to welcome the players.
However, he claimed NFF officials rejected the request and warned that they could lose their jobs if he approached the team.
“I was informed that officials of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) had refused and had requested that I not approach them because, if I did, they would all lose their jobs,” Obi stated.
Obi Recalls Similar Incident in Uyo
The former governor said the airport incident reminded him of an earlier experience involving the Super Eagles in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Obi recalled attending Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying match on March 25, 2025. He said the state governor welcomed him at the VIP stand before the match.
However, he alleged that officials stopped him from greeting the players after the game, even as other government officials interacted with the team.
“I was told by the officials that they would lose their jobs if I proceeded,” he said.
Obi described both experiences as evidence of what he called the growing influence of political divisions in Nigeria.
“It is deeply troubling to witness the extent of toxic politics into which our nation has descended since 2025. Each year appears to bring further deterioration,” he added.
Obi Calls for an End to Political Intolerance
The NDC presidential candidate urged Nigerians to build a country where political differences do not determine how citizens relate with one another.
He said the country should reject hostility, intimidation and discrimination based on political affiliation.
“The new Nigeria we aspire to build must have no room for hostility, intimidation, or discrimination, regardless of political affiliation.
“It must be a Nigeria in which unity, mutual respect, and our shared humanity take precedence over political differences,” Obi stated.
As of Monday, the NFF had not publicly responded to the allegations.
Flamingos Make History With World Cup Victory
The controversy comes after the Flamingos secured a historic victory at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
Nigeria defeated Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final in Rabat, becoming the first African country to win the tournament.
The victory marked a major milestone for Nigerian women’s football and drew celebrations from football fans across the country.
The team returned to Nigeria on Monday with the trophy.
